Vending machine



April 16, 19291 c. J. sMETHr-:Rs ETIAL 1,709,495

VENDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 27, 1928 Patented Apr. 16, 1929.

vuNiTi-:D STATES PATENT...orifice-.f

CLARENCE J. SMETHERS, or JOHNSON CITY, AND iinviNv n. ELLisoN,or'iiNeiiniii'ioN,f;iy

NEW YORK; f f

VENDING MACHINE.

Appiication ined February 27, 192s. seriai No. 257,460. j

clearly understood at the outset that our invention is not limited tosuch use and is fully capable ofdispensing articles of many and variouskinds and character. Y

Our invention is preferably ofjthe coin controlled type, although, thisis not essential. The principal object of our` invention is to provide aplurality of' article carriers, mov- -able step by step to dispensingposition, the articles being automatically ejected at such' position. Y

Another object of our invention is to provide a novel am means forcontrolling the feeding of-'the articles to dispensingposi-l tion, andforejecting `them thereat.

Still another object of our invention, and an important one, lies inthearrangement and coiistiLic'iOn of the carriers or chutes for the Goodsto be dispensed.

.Other objects 'and advantages in details of construction and operationWillbe'apparent as the description now proceeds, reference be.- ing hadtok the' accompanying drawings Whereinlike reference numerals indicatelike parts'. 'In the drawings lFigure 1 is a side view Vof our improvedvending machine, partly in section and certain parts being broken awayfor clearness of illustration. f

i Figure 2 is a' detail view partly in section showing in plan thecamcontrolling or operating device. 'Figure 3 is 'a detail crosssectional viewthrough one of thecarriers or chutes inone position withrespect to the cam.

F gure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 show" ing the carrier or chuteinano'ther oi" ejectingr osition withrelation to the cam. f P

Figure 5 is a detail cross sectional View of: one of these carriersorchutes.Lv

Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating a modified forni of thechute'. Y

The reference numeral 1 indicates a base .K projcc ting upwardly fromwhich is an open.'

frame 2, centrallyv of the upper portion 8'of which is journaled one endof ashaftft, the

opposite end of which is suitably journaled for rotation in the' base 1.Secured to the j shaft 4 directly above the `portion 3 of the;

frame, is a ratchet 5,' adapted toengage with the teeth of which is apawl 6 pivoted to saidv portion 3 of the frame. A coil spring7 encirclesthe shaft`4, one end of such spring be-` ing anchoredv as at 8 to one ofthe cross arm supports. 9 secured to the shaft 4 just ybelow the`poition 8 of the frame, and the opposite end of the spring 7 vbeingsecured in any suitable nianner tothe base 1. The extreme upper end ofthe shaft 4 is threaded as at 10 to receive a. suitable key or windingdevice when` the out-side cover 11, surrounding the entire device, iswithdrawn, whereby'to rotate the shaft 4 and place the spring 7 undertension. This coil spring 7 therefore normally tends to urge therotation of the shaft 4 in one direction, thesaine directionV asthe-winding of i. the spring, for a purposeto be described.rr

y The supportingarms 9 areshown in Vthis case to be four innumberextending outwardly froni the shaft 4, although it will beunderstood that any desired number of such sup-v porting arms may beprovided, depending upon the size of the vendingmachine desired.

lhe outer ends of these supporting arms 9 are provided with hooks orother pivotv means 12- and on whicli'are swungthe upper end oftheycarriers vorchutes indicated generally at 13.'

`These chutesl extend downwardly to a point" adjacent the `base 1 andareformedl of .two

lchannel or three sided sections-15 and 16, the

stackedr in `colui'nns one upon the other, the weight of thevcolumn-hasa tendency to cause the lowermost caramel-to spreachwhichcondition in an unyielding chute or carrier will not permit tlieproperfeedingv of the goods downwardly one at a time for dispensingl Hence,our reasonffoi" providing the chute or carrier 13 intwo sections hingedtogether asillustrated clearly in Figure 1,' the sections'of which canbe spread slightlyfapart at thelow-x` er ory dispensing end' in order'toinsure the feeding downward of the column olf-caramels or otherV goods.

The lower end of the outer section 15 of the chute 13 is provided withan opening across its closed side,lsuch opening being indicated at 20.The lower end of the inner section 16.

is likewise provided with an opening 21 across its closed side, theopenings 2O and 21 registering with each other. This inner section 1G ofthe chute is provided with a bottom flange 22 extending inwardly acrossthe width of the outer section 15, whereby to provide a shelf or seatfor the lowermost caramel 17 in the chute. A bottom flange 23 of theoutei` section 15 has projecting downwardly a roller 24 for a purpose tobe described.

Secured to the shaft 4 adjacent its lower end is another set of crossarms 25 similar to the arms 9 at the upper end and extending in the samedirection as such upper arms 9. These arms 25 extend outward- `ly topoints adjacent the lower ends of the chutes 13, such arms terminatingat a point flush with the opening 21 in the inner section 16, when thechute is suspended in its normal vertical position from the upper arm 9.These arms 25v are provided adjacent their outer ends with slots 26adapted to receive guide fins 27 carried by the inner section16. Theseguide fins 27 in addition to preventing twisting or lateral displacementof the chutes 13, cooperate with the closed ends of the slots 26 tolimit the outer and inner swinging movements of said chutes.

Elastic means-consisting of the coil springs 28 and stra-ps 29 areprovided for surrounding the chut-e 13 whereby to resiliently hold thesections 15 and 16 together. The resilient holding of the sectionstogether frictionally holds the column of caramels in position in thechute and tol a large extent relieves the Weight of the column ofcaramels from those at the lower end. This elastic mea-ns 28 and 29isreadily removable to permit access to the interior of the chutesections. It should be noted also in this connection that the chutes 13are readily removable from the machine by simply vu-nhooking them at thetop from the hooks 12 and lifting the same vertically until the fins 7yare out of theslots'26.

Also secured to the shaft 4 adjacent its lower end and extendingoutwardly there from preferably atpoints between the eX-tendin-gsupporting arms 25 are stop members 3() adapted to cooperatewith a pin 31 carried by an angular projection 32 extending laterallyfrom a lever33 pivoted between its ends as at 34 on a bracket 35. A coinchute 36 may be provided in the outer casing'ii of the machineterminating at its Alowei` end directly over one end of the lever Theonposite end of this lever 33 is preferably weighted as at 37 and theangular projection 32 with the pin 31 is secured to the lever adjacentthis weighted end. The pin 31 is normally in the path of the stop arms30 due to this Weighted end 37. When, however, a coin is inserted in thecoin chute, and strikes the opposite end of the lever 33, the projection32 andpin 31 will be momentarily lifted or raised and the stop arm 30permittedto pass the pin 31 under the iniuence `of the spring drivenshaft 4. The pin 31 of course immediately drops back to normal positionand engages and stops the next arm 3() when said arm reaches it. Thisprovides an escapement mechanism for controlling by coins step by steprotation of the shaft 4 and the bringing of the chutes 13 one at a timeinto dispensing position. The stop arms 30 and the escape* mentmechanism just described are so ar ranged that upon each stop of thedevice, one of the chutes 13 with its openings 20 and 21 is directly infront of a suitable opening in the outer casing 11 to which is attachedat such pointa receptacle 38 for receiving the dis-V charged caramel. Y

Mounted fast upon the base 1 is a cam block 39, the outer periphery ofwhich is adapted to be followed by the rollers 24 carried by the lowerends of the sections 15 of the chutes 13. The contour of the peripheryof this cam 39 is such that as the shaft 4 is rotated to move a givenchute away from the dispensing position, the roller 24 of such chutewill first ride outwardly from the center of the cam slightv ly causingthe entire chute 13 to be swung slightly outwardly on its pivot. llVhenthe fin 27 of the inner section 16 of this chute, however, engages withthe outer closed end 40 (see Figure 3) of the slot 26, further outwardmovement ofk this section 16 is prevented. The periphery of the cam 39,however, is such as to cause the roller 24 to continue to move outwardlya slight distance further resulting in moving the outer section 15 ofthe chute away from the inner section against the tension of the elasticmeans 28 andv 29, thereby loosening the friction on the column ofcaramels 17 and permitting them to feed downwardly, the lowermostcaramel dropping onto the shelf or lower fiange 22 of the inner section16, in position for ejection through the opening 20 when this particularchute'again reaches the dispensing point or station.

`Whenthis spreading of the chute sections 15 and 16 as just describedhas been accomplished, the periphery of the cam 39 takes an i, inwardpath as at 42, permitting the chute During this last stage of movementtherefore ot' the chute to the dispensing point, the chute .is guided bythe slot formed by these two cams and maintained in vertical positionuntil it reaches the. dispensing point at which time' chute 13.Obviously this inward swinging of the lower end otl the chute 13 compelsthe passing oit the outer end of the supporting arm through the openings2l and 20 oi the chutesections, resultingin the ejection ofthel'owermost caramel resting' on -the shelf or flange Q2, the caramelbeing' ejected. into the receptacle 38. The lin 27 carried by the innersection 16 moves inwardly in the slot 26 during 'this action and engageswith the closed innerend thereof to limit themovement ot .other to formthe hollow chute.

the chute. v

The auxiliary cam 43 terminates directly beyond this dispensing stationand the periphery of the cam 39 is such that the'roller 24 again ridesoutwardly and again st rts'on its outward swing to the point ofrelieving the pressure on the caramels by spreading the chute sectionsto again permit the feeding ot' `the column of caramels downwardly7 asbeitfore described. Obviously this action repeats itself with each ofthe chutes and it will be clear that so .long as t-he chutes containgoods to be delivered, each release oit the escapement mechanism bymeans of a coin permits theV bringing` of a chute to dispensing positionand automatically ejecting a caramel. or other article.

wardly above the cams 39 and 43 and posivtioncd just inside the outercasing 11 is a semicircular guard 46 extending around the periphery ofthe cam 39 from the point at which the chutes swing back to normalvertical position, to adjacent the point at which the carainels areejected. This guard prevents the accidental dropping out or displacementot' the lowermost caramel in the chutes as they swing around todispensing position.

In Figure 6, I have illustrated a modilied type ot' chute constructionwherein the chutes can be adjusted to caramels or articles of differentlengths and likewise which, whenv the sections are swung apart attheirlower ends, in the'manner above described the tension or frictionof the chute sections onfthe caramels will be relieved on all four sidesthereot, thus insuring the proper dropping or downward feeding ot thecolumn of caramels.

In this form, thescctions 15a and 16n are two sided only, the singleside flange 47 of each engaging,r against the closed side ot the Y Thesesections are hingedfrom corner to corner in any suitable manner as bythe pintle 48 which if appended claims.V

varied in length will determine the length `of article which can` be`accommodated within the chute. Obviously also when the sections 15*rland 16a are spread by swinging them apart on thefpivot 48, the spreadingwill be diagonal with reference to the plan oit the sectionsurit'aces,-thus relieving or.withdrawing the support from thecolumn otcaramels on all 'tour sides thereof.

From the foregoing, have provided an automatic vending machine tor candycaraine'ls or other goods ot a semisoiftnature vand which is adaptablettor many other kinds of goods, wherein the ejection o' the articles isautomatic as is the presentation ofthe article carriers lat ltheejecting station or position. f l

We do not limit ourselves to the specilic coin controlled escap'ementdevice as obviously there are many types otl such escapements adaptableto our machine. Further, we do not limit ourselves toany of the detailsof construction and arrangement oit partsv herein shown and describedother than by 'the lVe claim 1. A vending machine comprising article 2.A vendingmachine comprising article carriers movable to and tromdispensing position, said carriers comprising chutes ior receivingacolumn of articles, and means for normally maintaining' frictionalengagement betweenl tlie inner walls ot said chutes and said articles,and means for relieving said rictional engagement as said carriers moveaway from dispensing position to permit said column of articles to 'feeddownwardly in said carriers, said means comprisingl a cam'suracecooperating with said carriers.

3. A vending machine comprising article carriers movable to and fromdispensing` position, said carriers comprising sectional chutes forfrictionally embracing a column ofarticles, and resilient meanscooperating with said sections for normally maintaining the frictionalengagement with said articles.

4. A vending machine comprising article carriers movable to and fromdispensing pomeans including a separable connection,

whereby said chutes may be removed from said support.

6. A vending machine comprising a rotatable support, article carriersswingably mounted at one end thereon, the opposite ends of said carriersbeing free to swing outwardly and inwardly with respect to said support,means for guiding and limiting said swinging movement, and a canicontrolling said swinging movement upon the rotation' ot' said support.

7. A vending machine comprising a rotatable support, article carriersswingably mounted at their upper ends thereon, the lower ends of saidcarriers being tree to swing outwardly and inwardly with respect to saidsupport, said carriers comprising sectional chutes frictionally engaginga column of articles therein, openings adjacent the lower ends of saidchutes, a cam controlling said swinging ot said chutes, and means onsaid chutes and cooperating'with said cam whereby said rictionalengagement will be relieved at one point in the rotation ot said supportto permit the lowermost article of the column to drop to a positionopposite said openings, and means whereby said article will be ejectedthrough said openings at another point of rotation el said support.

8. A vending machine comprising arotatable support, article carriersswingably mounted at their upper ends thereon, the lower ends of saidcarriers being tree to swing outwardlj7 and inwardly with respect tosaid support, said carriers comprising sectional chutes ti-ictionallyengaging a column ot' ar'- tieles therein, openings adjacent the lowerends oi rsaid chutes, a cani controlling said swinging of said chutes,and means on said chutes and cooperating with said cam where by saidiirictional engagement will be relieved at one point in the rotation ofsaid support to permit the lowermost article of the column to drop to aposition opposite said openings, and whereby said article will beejected through said openings at another point oi rotation of saidsupport, said support having means in position to pass through saidopenings upon the inward swinging ot said chutes, whereby 'to eject saidlowermost article. Y

9. A vending machine including a seiies or' article carriers movable toand from di pensing position, said article carriers comprising chutescomposed of pivoted sections the inner walls ot' which are adapted totrictionally engage a column of articles therein, resilient means fornormally holding said sections in such frictional engagement, and camcontrolled means, operative upon mvenient of said carriers, forrelieving said en gagement on all sides of said articles to permit thedownward ifeedingof said articles to dispensing position.

CLARENCE J. SMETHERS. ERVIN D. ELLISON;

